Electronic Health Records: The Ethical Issues

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer notes that the electronic health record (EHR) is an example of the advancements in medical informatics. The writer points out that the EHR is becoming the standard for the management of patient health information. This electronic technology offers a new way to manage information of all types, including text and video. The writer discusses that as with all technological advancements, the EHR brings about concerns for privacy and confidentiality. The writer maintains that healthcare organizations must recognize ethical issues, implement fair information principles, and apply adequate strategies to maintain the integrity of the use of health information.

Outline:
Background
Ethical Issues
Application to EHR
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"The use of electronic technology for the management of health information presents expanded security risks due to increased capacity and mass storage. A single breach in security could lead to the unauthorized disclosure of private health information. Both health care organizations and providers are at an increased risk for licensure and legal consequences as a result of unprotected electronic health information. In addition to the legal consequences, organizations also have an ethical obligation to ensure proper protection of the information.
"The use of EHRs allow for quick access to accurate and complete medical records. Healthcare organizations face the challenge of providing complete information while balancing patient privacy and confidentiality. These challenges could include but are not limited to, access, reliability and security of the information. With so much private information available on the computer, hackers have become a concern."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Electronic Health Record. (2007) Retrieved November 4, 2007, from the Wikipedia Web site: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_health_record
• Fairweather, N.B., & Rogerson, S. (2001). A moral approach to electronic patient records. Medical Informatics, 26(3). Retrieved November 4, 2007, from http://www.ccsr.cse.dmu.ac.uk/jpapers/papers/Fairweather_2001_mi.pdf
• Griener, Glenn. ( n.d.) Electronic Health Records as a Threat to Privacy. Health Law Review.14(1). Retrieved November 4, 2007, from http://www.law.ualberta.ca/centres/hli/pdfs/hlr/v14_1/4_Griener.pdf
• Mack, John (2004). Beyond HIPAA: Ethics in the e-health arena. Healthcare Executive. 19(5). Retrieved November 4, 2007, from ProQuest database.
• Mehlmen, Mazwell J. (1999, October). Emerging issues: the privacy of medical records. Retrieved November 4, 2007, from The Doctor Will See You Now Web site: http://www.thedoctorwillseeyounow.com/articles/bioethics/medrecords_4/

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